Optimizing critical illness recovery: perspectives and solutions from the caregivers of ICU survivors

Sevin, C. M. et al. (2021) Optimizing critical illness recovery: perspectives and solutions from the caregivers of ICU survivors. Critical Care Explorations, 3(5), e0420. (doi: 10.1097/CCE.0000000000000420) (PMID:34079948) (PMCID:PMC8162533)

Abstract

Objectives: To understand the unmet needs of caregivers of ICU survivors, how they accessed support post ICU, and the key components of beneficial ICU recovery support systems as identified from a caregiver perspective. Design: International, qualitative study. Subjects: We conducted 20 semistructured interviews with a diverse group of caregivers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, 11 of whom had interacted with an ICU recovery program. Setting: Seven hospitals in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Content analysis was used to explore prevalent themes related to unmet needs, as well as perceived strategies to improve ICU outcomes. Post-ICU care was perceived to be generally inadequate. Desired caregiver support fell into two main categories: practical support and emotional support. Successful care delivery initiatives included structured programs, such as post discharge telephone calls, home health programs, post-ICU clinics, and peer support groups, and standing information resources, such as written educational materials and online resources. Conclusions: This qualitative, multicenter, international study of caregivers of critical illness survivors identified consistently unmet needs, means by which caregivers accessed support post ICU, and several care mechanisms identified by caregivers as supporting optimal ICU recovery.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This analysis was funded by the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Quasim, Professor Tara and McPeake, Dr Jo
• Authors: Sevin, C. M., Boehm, L. M., Hibbert, E., Bastin, A. J., Jackson, J. C., Meyer, J., Quasim, T., Bakhru, R. N., Montgomery-Yates, A., Slack, A., Still, M., Netzer, G., Mikkelsen, M. E., Iwashyna, T. J., Haines, K. J., and McPeake, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Nursing and Health Care
• Journal Name: Critical Care Explorations
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins
• ISSN: 2639-8028
• ISSN (Online): 2639-8028
• Published Online: 12 May 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Critical Care Explorations 3(5): e0420
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
307748		Improving health and social care integration delivery in the acute care environment	Joanne McPeake	University of Cambridge (HEI-CAMB)	RG88620	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
303784		Collaboration Assessment of ICU Recovery Needs	Tara Quasim	Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)	GN17CC589	Med - Anaesthesia